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Weather A Factor?

An
amateur-built/experimental Challenger II crashed Saturday in
Eastern Oregon killing two Spokane men. Ezra M. Ward, 71, and Keith
G. Bird were killed in the crash just after 2 p.m. about 10 miles
south of La Grande.

Captain Craig Ward of the Union County Sheriff's Office said the
wreckage was found on a steep hillside according to media reports.
Authorities don't know who was at the controls, as the men were
both pilots and co-owned the aircraft (File Photo, right).

Witnesses reported that the two seat Ultralight Trainer, a
52-horsepower Challenger II, seemed to be having trouble in a snow
squall and was either following the freeway or attempting to land
on it.

Captain Ward said strong winds and heavy snow probably
contributed to the crash.